Back to the present, the sun is setting. The Chief Owl rears its head as close as can be to Silva. He is standing there stiff with his arms still open to peace. The Chief opens its beak and picks the branch off of Silva's hand. Silva's sighs of relief are cut short by the sudden screech of the Chief Owl.

Silva: (slightly panicking) Oh god, what's it doin'?

Isra: I dunno.

Suddenly, the other owls start to gather together near the two young men. They crouch a bit to the ground.

Silva: I think they're offering us a ride down.

Isra: Seems like it.

Silva and Isra accept the offer. As the two owls fly Isra and Silva from the tree, the Chief Owl and the Guardian Owls all dance as a send off to their allies.

Silva: So glad that's over.

Isra: Same here. Thanks for helping make things right with Owl City.

Silva: Don't mention it, my friend.

Isra: Now we just have to get back and explain ourselves a bit before we go our separate ways.

Silva: About that, why don'tcha join the team?

Isra: Hmmm.

Silva: Come on, our goals line up perfectly well. I believe that we could accomplish so much from learning each other's climbing styles. Not to mention your insane power has been clutch during this mission.

Isra: That is true… I'll think about it.

The Guardian Owls reach land and drop off Silva and Isra. A quick farewell later, and Silva and Isra find themselves reuniting with an excited Salv and Oro.

Salv: Did you make peace?

Silva: Wouldn't be here if I didn't.

Salv: Alright smart ass let's get going then.

Silva: By the way, can I see the Sacred Wood, Salv?

Salv pulls out the small but powerful piece of wood from his giant orange bag.

Salv: Ta-daaa! Look at that magnificent green shine!

Silva: (Eyes light up) Wow, that is special!

Isra: It's cool and all but what's the deal with this shiny piece of wood?

Salv: (Blank expression) Oh nothing special…

Salv covers it with his body for a second before dramatically lifting it into the air to proclaim its importance.

Salv: It is just one of five rare materials of Instivale that were downplayed by a majority of the nation. When combined, they are rumored to grant immeasurable power to the user based on a famous archeologist's journal. This power can only be used once, but one of its listed hypothesized capabilities is to cure any injury, condition, or illness! WITH THIS I CAN BE A NORMAL HUMAN AGAIN AND START A FAMILY WITH MY FUTURE PROFESSION AS AN ARTIST!

Silva: Yes, yes I know all of this already!

Isra: (Shrugs) I didn't.

Salv invades Isra's personal space with the Sacred Wood shoved in his face.

Salv: Is this not wonderful?

Isra: (Overwhelmed) I guess so.

Salv: To think, I likely would've missed this find if I hadn't met you, THANK YOU MY NEW FRIEND!

Salv hugs. Isra is suffocating in silence.

Salv: I get it, you're at a loss for words. You must feel so amazed to be a part of this groundbreaking discovery.

Isra finally finds enough breath to utter a few words…

Isra: (gasping for air) Please get off of me.

Salv releases his hug of death and a relieved Isra comedically falls to the ground.

Salv: I know this is great and all but we must make haste to your city!

Salv picks up Isra and carries him on his shoulder.

Silva: (laughs) I can't wait for more adventures like this.

Oro: (happily barks)

Isra: Ya act like I've accepted your offer.

Silva, Isra, Oro, and Salv make their way back to Owl City and arrive by around 9 pm. Two men are chatting at their posts on a small wooden tower near the entrance of the city.

Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon.

Owl City Guard #1: I dunno man this uniform really isn't my color.

Owl City Guard #2: Are you kidding bro? I think it suits you.

Owl City Guard #1: Are you sure? I would prefer a nice marron to this olive green and brown getup.

Owl City Guard #2: (sarcastically) Bring it up at the next town hall meeting then.

Owl City Guard #1: Well I don't want to come off as entitled in front of the other guards.

Owl City Guard #2: Too late for that, you already asked for a pizza party and casual friday wine nights-

Owl City Guard #1: In my defense it keeps the job interesting ya know? We need fun and exciting events to overshadow the dullness of our jobs-

Owl City Guard #2: Hey, up ahead. That looks to be Isra and his friends!

Owl City Guard #1 continues his tangent in the background not even paying any mind to the other guard's alert.

Owl City Guard #2: (slightly angry tone) Hey dumbass, pay attention! We have to see the mayor at once!

Owl City Guard #2 pulls his fellow guard by the arm and the two lookouts rush to notify the mayor.

Owl City Guard #1: Ouch, quit pulling my arm man!

They arrive at the town hall. The mayor is standing on the podium practicing his next speech.

Owl City Mayor: Thank you to all of those who made this happen. With this I present the new and improved statue of me-

Owl City Mayor: (caught off guard) Oh. (clears throat) What is the meaning of this?

Owl City Guard #1: Apologies sir, Isra and the others have just arrived.

Owl City Mayor: Didn't expect such a quick return

Owl City Guard #2: Yes, they seem to be in a joyful mood.

Owl City Mayor: And?

Owl City Guard #2: There are no reports yet on the result of their mission.

Owl City Guard #1: By the way sir, I have a wonderful suggestion to help boost morale-

Owl City Guard #2 elbows the other guard and they sit in silence.

Owl City Mayor: (commanding voice) Well, don't just stand here in anticipation. Bring 'em here at once!

Owl City Guards #1 and #2: Yes sir.

The guards rush to escort Isra and the others.

Owl City Guard #1: Was the mission a success?

Isra: Of course.

Owl CIty Guard #2: Excellent. In that case, please follow us.

Isra: Alright.

Isra and the others follow the guards into the city hall.

Silva: Sup, mr. mayor!

Owl City Mayor: (Raises his right eyebrow) Did you make amends with the owls?

Isra: Yes, sir.

Owl City Mayor: You aren't lying to me are you?

Salv: No reason to fib. We can just wait a day and you will notice the restored peace for yourself.

Owl City Mayor: That sounds like a solid plan, however, what could prove to me that you didn't just harm or lord forbid kill them?

Isra: Travel to the Sacred Tree yourself then.

Owl City Mayor: No need for that, I am a very busy man you see. I will send some guards to investigate instead.

The two Owl City guards attempt to tiptoe out of the room towards the door.

Owl City Mayor: You two!

The guards quickly jump back to their positions.

Owl City Guards: (Dull tone) Yes sir?

Owl City Mayor: You two are tasked with validating their claims.

Owl City Guard #2: Heard.

Owl City Guards begin to slowly walk in defeat.

Owl City Mayor: Wait! I forgot one more thing, if you two can do this before sunrise, I could arrange a casual wine night this Friday.

Owl City Guard #1: Really? You'd do that for us sir?

Owl City Mayor: (sighs) Hurry, before I change my mind.

The Owl City guards rush out the door faster than they have ever run since joining the city's watch.

Silva: What now?

Isra shrugs.

Owl City Mayor: How's about I present you all my speech.

Silva: What's the-

Isra attempts to cover his mouth before Silva can finish his question, however, it's too late.

Owl City Mayor: Glad you asked, please have a seat.

Silva, Salv, Oro, and Isra take a seat and begrudgingly entertain the mayor and his self indulgent speech. He presents them the statue after an hour of his speech. Three more hours pass before the guards come back with proof in the form of one of the Sacred Owls. The owl is docile and lets the mayor pat its head.

Silva: Well, we're free from this boring speech right?

Owl City Mayor: Boring? Well, I never-

Isra: Sorry sir what he meant to ask was: are our troubles resolved now?

Owl City Mayor: Hmmmm, yes I suppose you are free to go.

Isra: Great, thank you so much for your time sir.

Salv: Yes, thank you.

Owl City Mayor: Now I can finally ease the public and you all are clear. Would you like to hear my draft speech?

Before the mayor knew it. Everyone had vanished, even the guards. He puts his head down. At 11 pm everyone gathers in the town hall and catches the citizens up to speed on the silver expeditioners' journey of peace. Meanwhile: Silva, Salv, Oro, and Isra meet outside of the inn.

Silva: We're gonna hit the hay. If you still wanna join us, be ready at this spot by nine am.

Isra: Alright. No promises though.

Silva: I know.

Salv: Good night, Isra.

Silva: Oh, and make sure to thank your parents for the hospitality!

Isra: I will, good night guys.

Silva, Salv, Oro, and Isra head to bed. Isra returns to his treehouse and contemplates his decision all night without any rest.

March 6, 3009

Silva, Oro, and Salv meet each other out front to set off on their journey. They wait for Isra for a half an hour.

Salv: Ready to travel across the other half of Rattlesnake Canyon?

Silva: Not yet.

Salv: What do you mean?

Silva: We are missing Isra.

Salv: He isn't coming, it's past nine. You said nine.

Silva: I know, he is probably just uncertain. We just gotta wait a bit longer.

Salv: Silva, if you're going to lead a team you need to be strict with your word.

Silva: Yeah, I guess you're right.

Salv: Let's get going-

A gust of wind quickly blows by. Except it wasn't wind, it was Isra.

Isra: WAIT! I am here.

Silva: I knew you'd make it my friend!

Salv: (Stern manner) Why so late… What gives?

Isra: Sorry I overslept a bit, I was up most of the night thinkin' about this.

Silva shares an overconfident look at Salv, to which he ignores.

Silva: Alright, then it's settled! The silver expeditioners have a trio now! Hey, we can call ourselves the Silver Trio!

Oro: (Whimpers).

Silva: (Apologetically) Sorry pal. I guess I meant a human trio. We are now a quartet of Silver Expeditioners though!

Oro: (Excitedly yips).

Isra: I do have one condition though.

Silva: What's that?

Isra: Before we met, I was training for an upcoming biannual climber's tournament specifically in the teen bracket.

Silva: Ohhhh, that's hype!

Salv: Where and when does this tournament take place?

Isra: In a few days, actually. It is located outside of Howling Woods in a village known as Climber's Paradise!

Silva: Hey, I've visited there before with my uncle. It's outta this world! Never got to compete there though.

Isra: You never signed up for these tournaments before?

Silva: Nah, my uncle encouraged my friend Dante and I to train with a more natural approach, sticking to exclusively climbing mountains and forests throughout Rover Heights. We were pretty sheltered but also worked to the bone.

Isra: Ah, I see. If you're interested in competing, they offer walk-in registries as well.

Silva: Okay, then it's settled, the Silver Trio will head to the Climber's Paradise Tournament!

Oro: (Angrily barks).

Silva: Sorry, quartet.

Salv: I'll pass on climbing but I'll be happy to watch from the stands. Plus someone needs to watch Oro anyways.

Silva: Lame.

Isra: Sounds like a plan.

Salv: Then we're off to our next destination!